Community Garden - Growing Hope

In the fall of 2018 a friend of mine was able to lease land for a horse therapy program which is soon to be available. With 130 acres of land I suggested that we should grow food to promote food security in our community.  I started researching and decided that there is enough support and the need is great.  Susan Campbell Co-Chair of PROMPT (Poverty Reduction of Muskoka Planning Table) says, "local poverty is hidden amongst the misleading signs of tourism and vacation lifestyle." Beausoleil states in MuskokaRegion.ca "12% of Muskoka population live in poverty. 19,100 people considered vulnerable, which includes; living in poverty, people with disabilities and isolated seniors, and that number appears to be on the rise." While doing some research we came across a group who have the vary same initiative.  Mr Colin Templeton, founder of The Food Bank Farm in Sault Ste Marie Ontario.  He has agreed to be a sound board and support us as we plow through this community initiative. Please view his webpage at www.thefoodbankfarm.ca This year we are focusing on infrastructure, like parking area for the volunteers, irrigation system from the pond next to the field, setting up a small greenhouse, planting 250 asparagus plants, and 15 apple trees. The harvest will be 100% donated to the Food Banks in Muskoka,   We are also focusing on keeping cost as low as possible. Wooden pallets have been collected (63 to be exact) to build a compost shelter, as well as the base for the greenhouse. Left over snowmobile crates have been collected to build a portable fence around the garden.  Manure is available from the farm on this land for fertilizer.  A tiller will be rented until we can purchase one for the project. Equipment like shade clothes, rebar to install the portable fence, first aide kit,  etc. As funds come in we will add a second section of land, and continue to increase the harvest. We will be contacting schools to initiate -  "Plant a row program", as well as invite students to do their community hours for school, inviting the community to join in , Girl Guides of Canada are filling up recycled empty rolls of toilet paper with seed starter,getting ready to plant seeds in March (like tomatoes and peppers), etc. Future initiatives:  cooking classes and nutrition classes using fresh produce, selling vegetables at the market through school business class initiatives, etc. Last years leftover seeds  were donated from stores  so we can experiment on different styles of sowing this year. We are in search of a company who will be our Sponsor in order to keep cost down as well as initiate a heirloom  seed collection for the following planting season. We thank you for your thoughtfulness I will add info as well as pictures to keep everyone updated  as the months go by... Growing Hope Josée Payne 5 H farm